Coolest Belt Ever Made

[Batman's Utility Belt]

Written by Kal-El

Ever wondered was is one of the most into becoming a Batman? Is it the cape? Is it the skills that you need to battle villains? Is it the Car? Chicks dig the car..Well i think all in all, you might need to sit down with Mr.Wayne a.k.a. Batman himself to answer to that, but today, one of our many wonders, for a special info piece, we'll talk about his Utility Belt or should we say, all-in-wonder-god-knows-how-many-stuff-it-could-carry-shiny-yellow-belt.

Batman's utility belt is the most characteristic portion of Batman's costume, much like Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth, or Green Lantern's power ring. Given that Batman is purely human with an intelligent IQ, skills, cool butler and lastly his got the money.The exact contents of the belt are not known, as Batman changes them to suit his needs, his uncanny ability to carry the appropriate tools for a mission is legendary.

[More handy than your average Fanny Pack]

Batman's enemies are especially interested in the belt as they believe it will give them an advantage over him, but the belt's pockets are locked and only Batman knows how to open them. Occasionally, the belt is depicted as having defense mechanisms such as electric shock or stun gas or even an explosive device in order to prevent tampering.Amazingly enough, It might be hard for the villains to open it, he does it really quick. Similar belts are used by the various Robins, Batgirls, and other members of the Batman family.

Up until 1989, most artists drew the utility belt as a simple yellow belt with a buckle and cylinders around it. In 1986, Frank Miller drew Batman's utility belt with military-style pouches in the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns limited series. This rendition was utilized again in Batman: Year One and used by almost every artist in the Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight comics series. In 2000, the pouches became a standard feature in the depiction of the utility belt.

One feature added to the utility belt in the two Tim Burton directed Batman films, Batman (1989 film) and Batman Returns, was a small motor which would move items from the back of the belt around to the front allowing Batman easier access to his weaponry and tools. The feature was seen briefly when Batman and Vicki Vale were escaping the Joker's henchmen in the alley and when he rescued Selina Kyle from the Penguin's clown henchmen at the beginning of Batman Returns.

A common gag amongst comic fans is Batman's apparent ability to carry a tool for almost every eventuality on his belt, all prefixed with the word 'bat', such as bat-cookies and bat-snacks. Oftentimes, especially in the Adam West series, Batman could carry everything needed for a particular scenario, from typical batarangs to a miniature batphone which remotely linked to the one in the Batmobile. Eat your heart out Mr.Versace, this is one belt that would be awesome to have.

[Batman's belt through the ages used in the movies]

Although seemingly unremarkable in appearance, the utility belt is one of Batman's most important tools in fighting crime. Composed of a kevlar strap and metal buckle, the utility belt houses ten cylinder cartridges, which vertically clip onto the outside of the belt. The buckle itself contains a miniature camera and two-way radio. A secondary compartment behind the length of the belt houses Batman's supply of collapsible batarangs.

Each of the ten cylinders contains various tools integral to Batman's war on crime, and are interchangeable with other cylinders depending on Batman's needs for the mission. Through the years, Batman has modified the contents of his belt to accommodate various needs.During the events of No Man's Land, Batman made use of a more simple worksman's belt with larger pockets due to the necessity of carrying more equipment.

[Awesome replica of the belt]

What's in the belt? Elements of the utility belt at times include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Batarangs: Batman's version of the Shuriken.They have often been more closely identified with boomerangs. A large array of different types and sizes for different effects (ie blunt impact, edged, slashing, etc. and other uses) sometimes dipped with tranquillizers.
  
• Bat-bolas: Thrown around the feet of Batman's enemies to tie them with a composite-nylon cord. Often causes an escaping opponent to trip. With the push of a button in Batman's glove it can deliver an electric shock.
  
• Bat-cuffs: Bat shaped handcuffs, resembling the kind used by Special Forces units. These restraints are made of a lightweight diamond-impregnated nylon overlaying a banded steel core. Using a one-piece design, they slide closed and have to be cut off. Batman has given a special tool with a diamond-edged cutting implement to the Gotham PD for removal.
  
• Bat-Tracer: Used to track enemies Batman can't follow closely. Communications device: Often an earbug, but sometimes handheld.
  
• Bat-Darts: Tipped with tranquillizers
  
• Goo gun: A handheld foam projector that fires an adhesive-like substance to incapacitate opponents.
  
• Grappling Hook: Used to attach a with high-tensil wire line in order to scale sheer surfaces and/or swing across gaps.
  
• Night vision goggles: Using Starlite infrared lenses to see thermal output in low light or non-lit situations. Currently built-in to Batman's cowl.
  
• Kryptonite ring: Stored in a lead box, it is reserved for emergency use against a rogue Superman and/or other Kryptonians.
  
• Laser torch: A strong miniaturized laser use as a cutting tool.
  
• Line gun: (Grapnel Gun)Similar to a grappling hook, the line gun uses a strong clamp attached to a high-tensil wire for scaling surfaces and/or traversing gaps. It can be recovered by releasing the clamp and rewinding the cable. It was based from one that is designed as compact climbing gear for commando units.
  
• Lock pick: Of course Batman needs to break in some entries.
  
• Marble: Rolled down stairs to imitate footsteps. Depicted as a magnetic metal ball in the "Hush" storyline arc.
  
• Micro camera: Well Batman is considered as the World's Greatest Detective.
  
• Miniaturized toolkit : Batman is also Mr.Fix it.
  
• Rebreather: Allows Batman to breathe underwater or in vacuum. Depending on the writer and/or artist, it may also be incorporated with the gas mask.
  
• Smoke pellets: Often used to quickly provide cover for Batman's stealthly exits and entries. Knock-out gas pellets are used as well for non-lethally incapacitating opponents. Lachrymatory and regurgitant agents are deployed by throwing or breaking open the small hardened-gelatin spheroid capsules.
  
• Stun (Flash-Bang) grenades: Emits bright light and loud sound to blind and stun enemies.
  
• Thermite grenades: An incendiary used to burn through obstacles. In Batman: Year One, the thermite charge ignited accidentally and destroyed the utility belt. Although they are identified as Thermite, it is safe to assume that Thermate is used instead. (The former is a World War II technology which has largely been replaced by the latter.) In Judgement on Gotham (1991), Batman is equipped with a phosphor-based incendary device.
  
• A cache of cash : For late night Coffees. Usefull for stake outings.
  
• Evidence Bags: Bags to hold evidence in, he is a detective after all.

So there you go, another wonderfull facts learned and shared with you all, btw, watch out for his new up coming Movie, Batman: The Dark Knight, Look out for his new utility belt.